Bareback Dreams: A Story of Three Sisters and Their Horses

Growing up, there was a specific kind of magic that lived on our farm. I was ten years old when my father came home with a surprise that would change our lives forever: we were the proud new owners of three horses.

I remember the excitement of that day so clearly. I was given Leila, a stunning chestnut mare. My middle sister, Bogi, met Linda, a gorgeous deep bay. And my youngest sister, Imola (only three years old at the time) became the young, proud owner of a black Shetland pony named Velvet.

My father didn’t believe in doing things halfway. There were no saddles and no fancy equipment. We learned to ride bareback, feeling every movement of the horse beneath us. He taught us to lead not with our hands, but with our hearts —using only our thighs and heels to communicate, eventually letting the reins go entirely.

He pushed us to be fearless. We practiced on the steep slopes of our farm, learning how to balance as we dipped into downhill and climbed back up. It was scary at times, but I don’t think any of us ever fell. My youngest sister, Imola, was the bravest of us all; she was so fearless she would even stand up on her pony while he was moving.

Some of my sweetest memories are the long hikes through the hills, or the days we would ride all the way into the village just to surprise our grandparents. Looking back now as a parent, I can only imagine the pride our parents felt watching their three little girls navigate the world on horseback.

As the years passed, life happened. Dreams change, and eventually, we let that chapter go. I’m not even sure if I could get back on a horse today. But I cherish those years deeply. They feel like a fairy tale I was lucky enough to live in.

I felt a sudden, deep need to recreate that magic and honor those first three ponies who taught us so much about confidence and freedom.

Meet Leila, Linda, and Velvet.

I am endlessly grateful to my parents for giving us a childhood that makes me stop and wonder: Was that real? Was it really that beautiful?

Yes, it was.

I’d love to hear from you: Is there a specific memory from your childhood that feels like a fairy tale when you look back on it? What was your "Velvet, Linda, or Leila"? Please share your stories in the comments below!